Narrative:

We got on the plane in tncm prior to schedule departure; at that time we requested the release and tps; we were told it was not available but will be coming shortly; passenger boarding began; as we were setting up we noticed that the ACARS were not available and with no paperwork we were unable to set up the FMGC. As we waited we observed all the planes including company airplanes taking off and landing on runway 10 into a 14 knot headwind; it was a busy day in tncm this being the weekend. We tried to reset the ACARS with no success; and departure time went by with the passengers onboard and still no release and no tps; without cellphone service we were unable to contact dispatch all operations was telling us was that the paperwork was coming. 20 past departure and the passenger were starting to be agitated as they have been on the plane for an hour. 25 minutes past departure the paperwork showed up and the main door closed and they were ready to push us back; however we were not ready. After loading the mcdu and the performance page prior to push back (in accordance with procedures that became effective the day before) we are also using a hard copy of the load close out as we could not use the ACARS. After route verification; briefing and checklist we are ready to push. Ground control informed us that we did not have a flight plan on file; again we go thru ops and spend the next 30 trying to get a flight plan refilled; and a clearance. 1h15 past departure we takeoff; takeoff was uneventful and we get enroute. Once we got the ACARS back dispatch told us that the performance numbers provided to us were for taking off runway 28 with the strong tail wind and against the flow of traffic and that by taking off on 10 we were above the maximum takeoff weight for that runway.- tps was only showing numbers for one runway; I must have assumed it was the one in use and overlooked that it was in fact for 28.- under the numbers for runway 28 there was a note regarding runway 10; regarding special departure;reinforcing my mistake that this was for runway 10.- before [the procedure change] using uplink you would have been unable to insert number for a runway that was different from your take of runway on the flight plan page.- getting the paper work including tps on our second flight under the new procedures 20 past departure.- being unable to contact dispatch or have dispatch contact us.- being unfamiliar with tncm.- task loading and multiple distractions from ATC; ops; flight attendats wanting to know what was going on.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A320 flight crew describes the problems departing TNCM due to late paperwork; procedure changes and no ACARS. The flight departs over an hour late and does not use the runway planned by Dispatch and shown on the weight and balance.

Narrative: We got on the plane in TNCM prior to schedule departure; at that time we requested the release and TPS; we were told it was not available but will be coming shortly; passenger boarding began; as we were setting up we noticed that the ACARS were not available and with no paperwork we were unable to set up the FMGC. As we waited we observed all the planes including company airplanes taking off and landing on Runway 10 into a 14 knot headwind; it was a busy day in TNCM this being the weekend. We tried to reset the ACARS with no success; and departure time went by with the passengers onboard and still no release and no tps; without cellphone service we were unable to contact dispatch all operations was telling us was that the paperwork was coming. 20 past departure and the passenger were starting to be agitated as they have been on the plane for an hour. 25 minutes past departure the paperwork showed up and the main door closed and they were ready to push us back; however we were not ready. After loading the MCDU and the performance page prior to push back (in accordance with procedures that became effective the day before) we are also using a hard copy of the load close out as we could not use the ACARS. After route verification; briefing and checklist we are ready to push. Ground control informed us that we did not have a flight plan on file; again we go thru ops and spend the next 30 trying to get a flight plan refilled; and a clearance. 1h15 past departure we takeoff; takeoff was uneventful and we get enroute. Once we got the ACARS back dispatch told us that the performance numbers provided to us were for taking off Runway 28 with the strong tail wind and against the flow of traffic and that by taking off on 10 we were above the maximum takeoff weight for that Runway.- Tps was only showing numbers for one Runway; I must have assumed it was the one in use and overlooked that it was in fact for 28.- Under the numbers for Runway 28 there was a note regarding Runway 10; regarding special departure;reinforcing my mistake that this was for Runway 10.- Before [the procedure change] using uplink you would have been unable to insert number for a Runway that was different from your take of Runway on the flight plan page.- Getting the paper work including TPS on our second flight under the new procedures 20 past departure.- Being unable to contact dispatch or have dispatch contact us.- Being unfamiliar with TNCM.- Task loading and multiple distractions from ATC; ops; Flight Attendats wanting to know what was going on.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.